Living in a Studio Flat?

Asharin · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

Hi,
Due to the break up of our long term (19 years!) relationship I am now looking at moving into a Studio flat (it's all I can afford right now..)
Seeing as I am currently living at my mums house in one room anyway I should hope it shouldn't be too much different!

Anyone else lived in a studio flat? What are the pros and cons? (In YOUR opinion)

Seems daft to ask maybe but at 36 I've never lived on my own :o I lived with parents until 20 then moved in with the mrs (now sort of ex mrs...it's complicated)

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

Seriously considered it a decade or so back when I moved out of a flatshare but in the end I scraped the cash together for a 1-bed flat. I think it was the studio I saw that had the pulldown bed from the wall that was the final nail in the coffin.

My thoughts were:

Pros:
- Cheap
- Less to hoover
- Cosy (if you're into cosy)

Cons:
- Small
- Everything smells of cooking (assuming your kitchen is just units at one end)
- Can't have friends/family to stay over very easily
- Nowhere to put your belongings - could be a false economy if you end up renting storage space
- You don't "go to bed" you just switch the light off
- Lots of neighbours - the fewer adjoining properties to your own the better
- Limited kichen facilities (typically) makes stuff like laundry a pain

But if it was that or living at my mum's house I'd be in that studio before the agent could get the door unlocked.

Biker · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 08 Sep 2011 Karma :

Wouldn't want to live alone myself, but given the situation a bit of head space might be good for you.

You could consider sharing a house with someone 'cos it would reduce bills and give you someone to talk to when you feel like being social, but if the housemate/s turn out to be a nightmare it can be worse than living alone.

You may miss a garden so think about that one before you jump in and secure a flat. Don't forget to check out the neighbours too...

Good luck.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Depends on the flat... if you mean studio as in 'doesn't have a bedroom' or studio as in 'passing off a bedsit as a studio'.

Mine was the former, thus most of what angryjonny just said wasn't applicable. The kitchen was an adequate size and had all the stuff you'd expect, the main room itself was quite big with high ceilings and huge walk in cupboards - it was an awesome place. Bed was a futon so was half sofa half bed and there was plenty of floorspace for having mates over to stay.

Living alone is awesome as long as you're the kind of person that can do it. It's never bothered me in the slightest, I love having my own space and everything exactly the way I want it. Houseshares are my idea of hell on earth.

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

Asharin · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

The 'flat' I am looking at has a living/sleeping area (bedsitting room I guess?) A seperate Kitchen (properly seperate not a corner of the main room) a Bathroom (with shower and proper bath) and a small box room (not big enough for a bedroom but decent as storage space.
As my stuff currently inhabits 4 bin bags and 4 cardboad boxes..it should all fit..

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

Sounds fine. If you can handle living on your own you'll enjoy it. If you can't you'd be stuffed on your own in a property of any size.

If the box room had a window and I could physically get a bed in there I'd probably still use it as a bedroom though.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

Sounds good. I'd be happy with that...so long as the neighbours were quiet. Smile

____________________
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Asharin · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go for it.
It's too handy for work, seeing kids etc to look elsewhere.
Thanks for the Info/advice all Smile

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

I looked at a studio the other week. If a bed if 6ft long, then the room was 8ft x 8ft. So basically a bit bigger than a box room with a toilet in a cuboard and a microwave and kettle on the table Laughing

Generally most are just a normal small flat but without a living room, which is fine if it's just yourself as you just watch TV from your bed.

angryjonny · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Karma :

Asharin · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.
Deposit down, stuff all signed, I move in on the 1st Oct (or thereabouts)
Can't wait, first time I've ever lived alone (kind of a sad thing to admit at 36 :p)
It's not too far away from the kids either so not far for visiting and it's just around the corner from work..so less petrol use on work days as I'll just walk.